Sermon on the Mountainside Law

Sermon on the Mountainside

Law

The Sermon on the Mountain is a sermon on Law

Jesus shows the contrast between our view and the Father’s view of law

Law is to hand out justice

We focus on the penalties of the law

But Jesus drills down to the foundation of law

Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:3-10 focuses on the blessing of the law

Jesus did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it

Jesus said the blessed are those who practice and teach the law

We are to do it unlike the Pharisees

But like Jesus taught it in the Sermon on the mountainside

Law

The word “Law” brings up a lot of emotions.

You talk to many Christians about the

law and they will quickly say…

 “We are not under the law but under grace.”

It is if there is a distain for the law.

Most of us think of the law as something that

restricts us from doing what we want to do.

When we find ourselves dealing with the law,

 we generally find no matter what side of

the law we are on…

 The only winners are the lawyers.

They seem to be the only ones

getting rich from the law.

So when Jesus brings up the law in His sermon,

 it would seem to be a good place to take a nap.

Because according to our standards,

 Jesus is a long winded preacher.

But let’s wake up.

 Jesus has some very powerful things to say about

the law that affects us and our children every day.

 

So what can we gain from Jesus’ words?…

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets;

 I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

Matthew 5:17

Let’s start with the word “law”

 defined by Strong’s Concordance…

NT:3551 nomos (nom'-os); from a primary nemo (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specifically (of Moses [including the volume]; also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle): KJV - law.

Law is to “parcel out”

 To give out justice

James Strong’s also says…

  

law (through the idea of prescriptive usage)

Prescriptive: relating to the imposition or enforcement of a rule or method.

(of a right, title, or institution) having become legally established

or accepted by long usage or the passage of time.

For us to understand what Jesus is saying about

the “law”, we need to remember what He just said.

Look again at Matthew 5:3-10.

Jesus is teaching us the law.

There is a blessing, a dealing out of

justice in each one of these verses.

  These blessings, these rights, titles or institutions

have been legally established by God.

This is nothing new.

 These blessings have been accepted

in heaven from the beginning.

Jesus says…

 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:19

Keep in mind what Jesus is focusing on…

 The practice and teaching of the commands or law.

 He has not changed the subject of verses 3-10.

It is not that Jesus does not recognize

laws for murder, adultery and justice.

Jesus drills down to the foundation.

Jesus says…

"You have heard that it was said,

'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'

Now watch as Jesus drills down on the matter…

But I tell you: Love your enemies and

pray for those who persecute you

Jesus drills down to the foundation…

 A foundation of love.

Then He shows us the justice for

those who keep the law of love…

That you may be sons of your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:43-45

All the laws of Moses, the Gospel, and every

law of the universe established in creation.

All have a foundation…

 A foundation of love.

Jesus reminds us to beware of any

other interpretation of the law.

 Law is to bring compensation.

Look at what Jesus says in Matthew 5:23-26…

"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. 

“Settle matters quickly”

The foundation of love makes us compassionate.

We will want to compensate others as

we would want to be compensated.

Jesus reminds us not to forget the reward

or compensation of our Father in heaven.

If you love those who love you,

what reward will you get?

Matthew 5:46

"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness'

before men, to be seen by them. If you do,

 you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Matthew 6:1

So what law are you practicing and teaching?

Life is short and we will all soon

stand before the Righteous Judge.

Jesus fulfilled the law, He did not abolish it.

Does our righteousness drill

down to the foundation of the law?...

To the blessings Jesus outlines in Matthew 5:3-10.

 Scripture Reading

Matthew 5:17-20 NIV

17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.